Liquid-purification apparatus



April 1931. w. H. FOSTER I 1,800,517

LIQUIU' PURIFICATION APPARTUS Filed March '7. 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 :a purifying the liquid.

Y Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNrra MTE ATEN' i @FRE WADE H. FOSTER, oF BAD AXE, MICHIGAN LIQUID-PURIFICATION APPARATUS Application led March 7, 1927. Serial No. 173,544.

This application relates generally to liquid purification apparatus and refers more particularly to that type of apparatus in which a plurality of tanks are used for One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a pair of tanks in which the filling and emptying thereof is controlled by the liquid to be purified. d

Another object is to provide means for filling the tanksy from the bottom portions thereof in such a manner that there will be a thorough agitating andV mixing of the incoming liquid with certain chemicals which are introduced from the topV of the tanks for precipitating the 'contaminated material out of the liquid.

Further objects of the invention-reside in' the novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invenh tion with portions of the wallsofther tanks broken away.

Figure 2 is a plan viewthereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the drain-V ing valve and meansfor controlling the l same.

In the accompanying 'drawings' wherein like characters of reference Indicate like Y parts the numeral 1 generallydesignates my liquid purifyingA apparatus consisting of a pair of tanksl 2 and 3 vwhich are designed to alternately receive the liquid to be=purified, one tank being adapted to receive the-liquid `while the other tank is draining a quantity A of the liquidin a purified condition. As shown each tank is preferably provided with a-conical bottom portion 4 throughrwhich the liquid is introduced into the tank in the form of a jet by means of the pipe 5. Eachv tank is also provided with a drain pipe 6 extending through a wall of the tank preferv v ablyabove the conical bottom f1@ and having a valve 7 seating upon the innerV end there-v of. As shown this valve 7 is pivotallyconnected to an arm 8 by means of a vertically Vextending `rod 9, the arm 8 being pivotally Vmounted upon a stationary support 10 o attached to thetank.

The arm 8 is also connected to anotherA Avertically extending rod 11 which islocated within and guided by an upstanding pipe '12 communicating with the drain pipe 6 and acting as an overflow'pipe for the tank. To the lower end kof the rod 11 is attached a baiile 13 which as shown in Figure Sis positioned wholly within the pipe l2when'the valve is seated but which partially extends within the upper endrof the drain pipe 6, kwhen the valve is unseated'. ,Y

' As shown the rod 9`is connected to the arm 8 intermediate the pivot point thereof7 the end portion of said arm adjacent to the f.

scribed cooperating parts which are adapted to function in the' following manner. l

Assuming that the` liquid is being introduced into'the bottom of tank 2 with the valve 7 inclosed positiom the liquid will continue to risel therein and eventually come into contact with the float 19 whichfis sho-wn in lowered position. The initial movementr thereof will naturally be comparatively slow so that the hook '14 in the tank 8 will slowly lift the arm 8 before it is disengaged therefrom." This vwill Y raise the valve. 7 slowly offf'its seat and allow the purifying liquidintank 3 tovstartvdraining ofi'. The

lifting of the valve 7 causes the lowering of the rod 11 within the pipe 12 together with the baffle 13. As soon as the flow of liquid has gotten under way it will automatically hold the baille 13 in its lowered position and thereby prevent the valve 7 from seating until all of the liquid has escaped from the tank 3.

For preventing each hook 14 from falling` back upon the arm 9 after it is disengaged therefrom, I'provide an arcuate projection 21 upon the upper end of' the hook which will contact with an arm of the bell-crank lever when said lever is moved to a straight up and down position. I also provide a cross bar 22 upon the upper end portion of the support 10 and mount thereonV laterally projecting lugs 23 for limiting the movement of the bell-crank lever therebetween.

After the tank 3 has been drained and the tank 2 lilled, the above described operation is repeated by filling tank 8 and emptying tank 2. For pumping the liquidinto the tanks, I provide the following automatic means. In each tank, near the top portion thereof and above the float-19 I provide a support 241 upon which is pivotall'y mountedl a. bell-crank lever 25, the l wer arm thereof supporting a large float 26,

while to the upper arm is attached a smaller float 27. Each lever 25 is provided. with an arm 28 rigidly connected thereto at the pivot point of the lever and which is pivotally connected to a sliding contact rod 29. Each rod 29 is adapted to slide through an aperture in the switch rod 30 and is provided with an enlarged end portion 31 for `preventing the rod from becoming disengaged from the switch rod 30. This switch rod is'adapted to pivot about the point 32 and Contact alternately with the switch members 33 and 34'for controlling the motors V35 and 86 respectively, which operate suitable pumps (not shown) for filling the tanks 2 and 3.

It is necessary that there be ar quick make and break Contact between the switch members so as to prevent arcing. YFor ecomplishing this, I provide'a stop 37 upon vthe support 24 so positioned that when the float 26 is in its downward position as shown in tank 2, it will be held past its center of gravity'because of the weight of the smaller float 27.

Assuming that the tank vis being filled and that the liquid has raised the float 19 so that the liquid in tank 3 is draining ofi, the lioat 26because4 of its being held off-center will not be moved when the liquid first comes into contact with it. In fact no movement Vwill be imparted to the large float until the small float 27 is actuated by the liquid.r Y

Then there will be a very small movement of the float 26 until it passes its center of gravity whereupon it will bequickly liftedY to its raised position.

The initial slow movement of the float 26 will have no effect upon the switch 31 as the rod 29 will slide through the aperture within the switch rod and the parts are so regulated that the enlarged portion will not come into `engagement with the switch rod until after the upward movement of the float 26, so that the switch rod will be shifted quickly to stop the motor 35 and start up the motor 86. It will thus be seen that I have provided means for shifting the pumping of the fluid from one tank to the other which isautomatically controlled by aliquid arising within each tank.

While I have not shown any other controlling means for pumping the liquid into the tanks, if it is found that the present arrangement is not desirable I may add a multiplo valve arrangement controlled by the floats 26 and 27. In that event of course lv one iuotor need be used for operating a single pump.

@ne of the principal faults of thetanks now in use and employing chemicals for precipitating out the impurities in the liquid is that the chemicals are not thoroughly mixed with the Vinflowing liquid. The result is that the liquid is by no means absolutely purified whichV of course is a very unsatisfactory Y condition. lith the VVpresent `invention providing chemicals are used rest, a jet of air is inserted from the bottom of the tank bymeans of a pipe-38. This produces a final stirring up of the liquid and chemicals, so'that practically little or noV chemical finds its way to the vbottom of the'tank.r As is apparent theintroduction of the liquic. into the bottom of each tank results in a thorough stirring up of the same with (the Vchemicals that are inserted from thetop of the tank, and provides an eiiicient apparatus which Vfar surpasses the type of tanks in which' the liquid is introduced from the top..v

Anotheradvantage gainedby this construction is that the sludge which settles upon the conical `bottom of each tank, Vbecause ofbeing gummy and spongy acts as a filter Yfor. the inflowing liquid and takes vup muchof the impurities from theiliquid Vas it enters the tank. I

The iilling operation 'i of each tank consumes about one hour which is sufficient time in which the liquid is atrest' and for allowasociar? ing. the impure matter to settle to the bottom of the tank. The drain outletf 1s located far enoughabove the conical bottom so that only the clear pure liquid is drained off from the tank. f twill be apparentthat myapparatus maybe operated Without the use of chemicals and that the impure matter Will have suiiicient time'to settle out of the liquid and to the bottom of the tanks before the drain valves are opened. f

When the tanks are installed it is preferable t'nat the portions thereof comprising the conical bottoms be placed below the ground level as shown in the drawings; For removing the sludge from' the bottom of eacli tank, there is provideda valved outlet pipe 39 extending from the apeXAof eacli cone to the ground level.. -Tlie frequency with Which thesludge is to be emptied of course depends upon4 thev constancy with which the impure liquid is introduced into the tanks.

While it is believed that from theforegodescription, the .nature and advantage of my invention will be readily understood, l desire to have it understood that I do not limitmyself to'wliat is hereinV shown and described and that4 such 4changes maybe resorted toA when desired asI fall Within tlie scope of the claims.-

What l claim as'myinvention is:

1. In a liquid purification.apparatus, the combination with a pair of open tanks, of means for alternately introducing the yliquid to be purified directly into each of said tanks, means for-purifying the said liquid and means Witliin'eacli tank for ztlternatelyv controlling the flow of purified liquid from the said tanks,

2. In a liquid purification apparatus, tlie combination with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing tlie liquid' to be purified directly into the bottom ofeacli tank, means for purifying` the said liquid and float controlled means Within each tank for alternately controlling the flow .of purified liquid from the saidl tanks. i r

3. In a liquidrpurication apparatus, `the combination Witli a pair of tanks, of means for introducing the liquid to be purified directly into the bottom of each tank, means for introducing a purifying substance into eacli tank, means Within-each tank for controlling tlie filling of the other tankand separate means Within eachtankfor controlling the draining of the other tank;

4, In, a liquid purificationapparatus, the combination vvitli a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the. liquid rto be purified into the bottom of said tanks, means for purifying said liquid and means for alternately controlling ythe flow of purifiedliquid from said tanks including" drain pipes. leadingfrom said tanks, valves for controlling the passage vof liquid into saidv drain pipes and floats Within l said tanks operated by the iniiowing liquid for alternately unseating said valves.

5. In a liquid purification apparatus, the combination With a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be purified into the rrbottom of said tanks, means for purifying said liquid and means for alternately controllingy the How of puriedliquid from said'tanks including drain pipes leading from said tanks, valves Within said tanks for closing said drain pipes, arms pivotally mounted upon said tanks and connected to said valves, hooks for engaging end portionsof said arms and float operated means for disengaging said hooks from said arms for unseating said valves.

6. lIn a liquid purification apparatus, the combination with a pair oftanks, of means for alternatelyintroducing the liquid yto be purified into the bottom of said tanks, means for purifying said liquid and means for alternately'controllin the flow of purified liquid from said tan rs including drain pipes leading from said tanks, valves Within vsaid tanks for` closing said drain pipes, arms pivotally mounted upon said tanks and connected t0 said valves, hooks for engaging end portions of said arms, float operated means for disengaging said hooks from said arms for unseating said valves, and means for holding said valvefin lopen position While the liquid is draining from the tanks.

7. In a lliquid purification apparatus, the combination With a pair of-tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquidto be purified into the bottom of 'said tanks, means for purifying said liquid and means `for alternately controlling the flow of purified liquid from said tanks 'including drain pipes leading from said tanks, valves Within said tanks for closingsaidV drain pipes, arms pivotally mounted upon said tanks yandconnectedstosaid valves,.hooks for engaging end portions of said arms, float operated means for disengagine said hocks'from said arms for unseating said` valves, means for holding saidv valves in open positionwliile the liquid is draining from the,tanks,said valve holding means being controlled Aby the outd-raining liquid.` Y.

f8.1n a liquid purification apparatus, the combination with a pairof tanks, of means 'for alternately introducing the liquid'tofbe purified into the bottomy of eacli tank, means for purifying said liquid and. means in each tank for alternately controlling the flow of purified liquid from said tank comprising a drain pipe leading from the tank, a valve for controlling theliow of liquid fromsaid drain pipe, anovertlow pipe Witliin the tank communicating VWith said drain pipe, apivotally mounted arm supported'by said tank andconnected to said valve, a float operated hook for engaging one end of said arm for ico lifting said drain valve off its seat and a baffle connected to said pivotally mounted arm and adapted to be lowered and held in said lowered position by the outiiowing liquid when the said drain valve is lifted E its seat.

9. In a liquid purification apparatus, the combination with la pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be purified'into the bottom of each tank, means for purifying said liquid and means in each tank for alternately controlling the flow of purified liquid from said tank comprising a drain pipe vleading from the tank, a valve for controlling the flow of liquid from said drain pipe, an overflow pipe within the tank communicating with said drain pipe, a baffle movable within said overflow pipe, an arm pivo'tally mounted upon said tank intermediate its ends and connected upon one side of its pivot point to 'said drain valve and upon the 'opposite saidV thereof to said baffle and a float controlled hook for engaging said arm for lifting said drain valve and lowering said baffle, -said baffle being adapted to be heldin its lowered position by the outflowing Vliquid Vduring the draining of Vthe tank. y

10.v A liquid purification apparatus comprising -a tank having'a conical shaped bottom,A means `for introducing the impure liquid through the conical bottom in the form of a spray, means for introducing a purifying chemical into the topV of said tank f during the filling operation, means for introducing a jet of vair into the bottom of said,l

.tank before the liquid comesto rest so as to provide a final mixing of the liquid and chemical and means for draining the pure liquid from said tank.

11. In a liquid purification apparatus, the combination with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be puried into said tanks, and means controlled by the inflowing liquid of one tank for allowing the liquid in Vthe other tank to lie atrest before it is drained off, while the first mentioned tank is being filled.

12. In a liquid purification apparatus, the combination' with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be purified into the bottom of each tank including a pump for each tank, a motor for operating each pump, a switch for each motor, a sldable switch rod for operatingV each switch, a pair of pivotally mounted floats within each tank spaced from each other but operably connected to said rod, one of said floats being adapted to hold the otherfloat past its center of gravity so that the action'of the inflowing liquid will not effect the movement thereof until the other float is lifted.

13. In a liquid purication apparatus, the

combination with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be purified into the bottom of said tanks, means for purifying said liquid and means for alternately controlling the flow of purified liquid from said tanks including drain pipes leading fromv said tanks,'valves for controlling the passage of liquid into said drain pipes, and a float within each tank adapted to be operated by the inflowing liquid for unseating the valve in the other tank. y

14. vIn a liquid purification apparatus, the combination with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be purified into the bottom of said tanks,`means for purifying said liquid and means for alternately controlling the flow of purified liquid from said tanks including drain pipes leading from said tanks, valves within said tanks for closing said drain pipes, arms pivotally mounted upon said tanks vand connected to said valves, hooks for engaging end portions of said arms and float operated means within each tank for disengaging the hook from the arm in the other tank, for unseating its respective valve.

l5. In a liquid purification apparatus, the combination with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid vto be purified into the bottom of said tanks, means for purifying said liquid, and means for alternately controlling the flow of purified liquid from said'tanks including drain pipes leading from said tanks, valves for controlling the passage of' liquid into said drain pipes, means within each tank adapted to be operated by the'inowing liquid for unseating the valve in the other tank, and means controlled by the outflowing liquid for retaining said valve in its unseated position.

16. In a liquid purification apparatus, the combination with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be purified into each tank, said means including a pump for each tank, motors for operating said pumps, switches for controlling the motor circuits, and means in each't'ank controlled by the inflowing liquid in the other Vtank for opening one switch and closing the other. l Y

17. In a liquid purification apparatus,'the combination with a pair of tanks, of means forV alternately introducing the liquidy to be purified into each tank, said means including a pump for each tank, motors foroperating said pumps, switches for controlling the motor circuits, and floats in said tanks connected to said switches and operable by the inflowing liquid to open one switch and close the other. Y

18. In a liquid purication apparatus, the combination with a pair of tanks, of means for alternately introducing the liquid to be purified into said tanks, means foi` introducing a purifying substance into said tanks,

as u

and means for alternately controlling the flow of purified liquid from said tanks including drain pipes leading therefrom, Valves for lcontrolling,the passage of liquid into said drain pipes, and means extending into each tank and adapted to be operated by the inowing liquid for unseating the Valve in the other tank.

In testimony whereof, I afx my signature.

WADE H. FOSTER. 

